El Raval
Practical information about El Raval
The El Raval district is located in Ciutat Vella (the old city) in Barcelona, Spain. It is bordered by the Gothic, Sant Antoni and Poble Sec districts. It is bounded on the east by La Rambla, on the north by Pelai street, on the west: the ronda de Sant Pau and on the south: the avenue del Paral-lel, which marks the border with the Poble Sec neighborhood.
The different options to get to El Raval by public transport:
Métro: You can take the metro lines L2 or L3 to the Paral-lel station. From there you can walk to El Raval.
Bus: Buses 20, 36, 57, 64, 91 and 120 also serve the El Raval neighborhood. You can take one of these buses and get off at the stop closest to your destination.
Hop-on hop-off Bus: The red line takes you to Plaça de Catalunya, the World Trade Center or the foot of the Columbus Column. The closest stop to the Raval with the blue line is Plaça de Catalunya.
Map of El Raval
El Raval (the former Barrio Chino) is a neighborhood that has been almost completely transformed. It used to be a den of artists, intellectuals, transvestites and prostitutes. There is still an air of bohemia, but modernity has taken hold. Today, the Raval district is home to a very large contemporary art museum, art galleries, boutiques and trendy restaurants.
Our advice: Ideally located in the center of Barcelona, El Raval has many hotels:
>> Your hotel close to the Macba in El Raval
History of El Raval over the centuries
In the Middle Ages, El Raval was a neighborhood located outside the city walls of Barcelona. It was populated mainly by artisans and workers. During this period, the neighborhood grew rapidly with the arrival of new residents from the surrounding rural areas.
In the 18th century, the neighborhood began to deteriorate due to the increasing poverty of its inhabitants. However, at the beginning of the 19th century, the construction of the Rambla brought a new economic impetus to El Raval, with the installation of many shops and leisure establishments.
In the twentieth century, the neighborhood of El Raval experienced a strong growth in population due to immigration. However, the neighborhood was also affected by poverty, crime and prostitution.
In recent decades, the city of Barcelona has carried out a series of urban renewal projects aimed at revitalizing El Raval. These projects have included the construction of new buildings, the restoration of historic buildings and the creation of public spaces.
Today, El Raval is a lively and cosmopolitan area of Barcelona that is appreciated by locals and visitors alike for its cultural activities and good atmosphere. It is considered one of the most multicultural neighborhoods in the Catalan capital.
El Raval formerly Barrio Chino
El Raval, formerly known as Barrio Chino, was commonly referred to as the "Chinese Quarter" in the 1920s until the 1980s. This name had nothing to do with the presence of the Chinese community, which was then very limited in Catalonia. In reality, the neighborhood was designated this way because of the presence of numerous establishments for prostitution, gambling, drugs, and organized crime.
The neighborhood was then considered a dangerous and notorious place. In the 1980s, the term "Barrio Chino" became pejorative and began to be replaced by the name "El Raval" at the same time as a long series of urban changes transformed its appearance.
The Bohemian Period of El Raval
The El Raval neighborhood has had several literary and bohemian periods throughout its history. One of the most famous is that of the early twentieth century, known as the "renaixença." The most well-known writers of this time include Jacint Verdaguer, Mercè Rodoreda, and Josep Pla. In the 1960s and 1970s, El Raval became a hub of counterculture and bohemianism. The neighborhood was then inhabited by many artists, musicians, and writers, including poet Joan Brossa, musician and composer Carles Santos, and writers Manuel Vázquez Montalbán, Terenci Moix, and filmmaker Joaquim Jordà i Català.
More recently, El Raval has become a center for contemporary and alternative arts, housing numerous museums, art galleries, and exhibition spaces, as well as art and music festivals throughout the year.
Some Ideas for Visiting the El Raval Neighborhood
More places to discover:
>>Take advantage of our good addresses such as restaurants and shops.
1- Guëll's Palace*
2- Monasteri Sant Pau del Camp**
3- Barcelona contemporary Art Museum (MACBA) ***
4- Barcelona contemporary culture centre (CCCB)**
5- Boqueria Market ***
La Boqueria Market - Monument
La Boqueria Market, one of the oldest markets in Barcelona, is no longer in the news, its name being mentioned as early as 1217. Criticized by some for being too crowded, adulated by others for the quality of its products and its small bars. It remains a must on Las Ramblas, a stone's throw from the Liceu and the Plaça de Catalunya.
The entrance porch, with its Art Nouveau stained glass window, is already an invitation to a gourmet journey. A dream that becomes reality in front of all the colourful stalls presented with great care by the many shopkeepers proud of their stands.
A visit to La Boqueria in video:
What can you find in La Boqueria?
You can find everything in La Boqueria: fish, meat, sausages, spices, cheese, vegetables, fruit and fruit juices, pastries, flowers... Fresh and local products that appeal to restaurateurs and locals alike. Many Catalans come here to do their daily shopping. Even more people come to have breakfast or lunch because there are many restaurants, cafés, and tapas bars that have been established in La Boqueria for a long time (a dozen bars for example).
>> In total, La Boqueria has more than 300 stands. With its surface area of 2583 m², it is the largest market in Catalonia.
Tip: If you're travelling light, we suggest you simply buy some chillies, Jabugo, chorizo and a few pieces of cheese before you leave.
If you are hungry, take a break at El Quim bar, our favourite tapas bar.
What does Boqueria mean?
Boqueria (also known as La Boqueria) is the term for this market whose official name is "Mercat de Sant Josep". The name "Boqueria" is derived from the Catalan word "boc", which means "goat", and refers to the area where the market was originally established in the 13th century as a place for goat traders.
The history La Boqueria market
The first mention of La Boqueria market in Barcelona dates from 1217, when tables were set up near the old city gate to sell meat. From December 1470 onwards, a market for the sale of pigs was held there. At that time, the market was called Mercat Bornet or (until 1794) simply known as Mercat de la Palla (Straw Market).
In the beginning, the market was not fenced in and had no official status; it was considered to be a simple extension of the Plaça Nova market, which then extended to the Plaça del Pi.
Later, the authorities decided to build a separate market on the Rambla, housing mainly fishmongers and butchers. It was not until 1826 that the market was legally recognised and a convention held in 1835 decided to build an official square.
Work began on 19 March 1840 under the direction of the architect Mas Vilà. The market was officially opened the same year, but the plans for the building were modified several times. The official inauguration of the structure finally took place in 1853. In 1911 the new fish market was opened and in 1914 the metal roof that still exists today was built.
>>> Do you have a sweet tooth? Find all the markets in Barcelona
2 comments
hospital de la creu - Marito (16 May 2016 - 11:46)
Yo también opino que las fotos no representan el antigüo hostipal de la creu!
la foto del Hospital de Sant Pau - Tana (22 Apr 2011 - 09:00)
Hola, La imagen escogida para el Hospital de Sant Pau del Raval no corresponde al edificio gótico. Me parece que se trata del Hospital modernista de Domenech i Montaner.